Disney installs metal detectors, prohibits toy guns at parks

Disney acknowledged that it’s an armed world, after all — installing metal detectors at eight theme park and water park entrances in Florida and California today as part of a package of new security measures in the wake of recent mass shootings.

Toy guns are prohibited and adults are no longer allowed to wear costumes under the new policies. Disney has also stopped selling toy guns — including toy blasters and squirt guns — at the properties. Some stores at the parks, such as a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed gift shop, had featured racks full of plastic guns available for purchase.

A Disney spokesperson said security measures, both visible and non-visible, have been added in recent weeks, including additional law enforcement and use of dogs in patrols. The parks use private security.

The measures were attributed to “the current state of heightened awareness” involving guns, the spokesperson said, and follows attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., in which shooters targeted victims in public places.

“We continually review our comprehensive approach to security and are implementing additional security measures, as appropriate,” Disney said in a statement.

The security additions come one day after the Department of Homeland Security identified “public events or places” as potential terrorist targets in a National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin.

Security measures were also added at non-Disney parks such as SeaWorld, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Information about the security overhauls was reported by the Orlando Sentinel. The website wdwmagic.com, which focuses on news and information about the resort, also posted images showing the security changes.
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